To the Journal editor:

As a former teacher and educational consultant, I am always looking for lesson ideas that develop students’ creativity and higher-level thinking skills while teaching educational content. For example, one of my favorite projects involved middle school students writing plays about the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The plays were produced by our local theatre group, using student actors. Some of the plays written by students included: “Field Trip Through History,” “Constitution, Tea, and Justice for All,” and “We the People … of Mr. Shibby’s History Class.”

This lesson will develop students’ creative use of language while teaching strategies currently used by some of our politicians. Use the following to create a worksheet when teaching this lesson.

Person or Group – Figure of Speech – Phrase

Provide examples from former President Trump:

Ted Cruz: “soft weak little baby,” “You are the single biggest liar.”

Mitch McConnell: “old broken-down crow,” “dumb son of a b*tch”

Marco Rubio: “nervous basket case,” “looks like a little boy on stage,” “He’s sweating like a pig.”

Soldiers who died in war and wounded veterans: “losers” and “suckers,” “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers,” “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?” “Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded.”

Taylor Swift: “very beautiful,” “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”

Kamala Harris: “Kamabla,” “mentally disabled,” “I’m better looking than she is.”

Tell students, “It’s important to be able to use engaging language as we communicate with other people. Complete the worksheet about someone you know using creative language including similes or metaphors. You should first identify someone you don’t like. This could be someone you’re jealous of or who makes you mad, like your teachers, parents, or someone you would like to bully.”

Explain that a simile creates an image by connecting ideas that are not normally connected and uses words “like” or “as.” A metaphor compares two unlike objects without using “like” or “as.” Highlight former President Trump’s description of Mitch McConnell as an “old broken-down crow,” and saying that Marco Rubio “looks like a little boy on stage.”

Students should brainstorm funny adjectives and figures of speech designed to be humiliating. Once they select their best insults they need to use them in front of an audience. They should first practice in your classroom. Students enjoy this activity, and you can expect much laughter. Encourage students to use their insults about the person they selected during lunch hour, before and after school, at athletic events, or on bus rides. They should also post them on social media. Tell students the real test of their effectiveness is if these terms are used by others.

Make a copy of students’ completed worksheets and mail them to former President Trump and thank him for inspiring young people and Americans everywhere.

Kristine Paulsen

Bark River